6 September

We're in the Hawkes Bay over the next couple of days making arrangements for next year’s conference. Hard to believe as Dunedin is such a fresh memory. We'll be located on Marine Parade in Napier with conference accommodation at Scenic Hotel Pania click here and the conference venue click here literally one minutes walk across the road right on the Napier foreshore.

Sunday 20 July is the night for the Ag community to put in the calendar as we'll kick off with a conference welcome social and we’ll progress through the rest of the week until Thursday night with the culmination of the Aviation New Zealand awards evening. Our AGM will be timed for Wednesday morning at a suitable time so the Ag community can participate. This will our first conference under the new Brand so we are hoping that some of the new and emerging interest areas such as pilotless vehicles (UAVs) will also be present.

Last week, we were asked to comment in public about the actions of an ex CAA official in respect of a coronial inquiry. The point made was that the event was pretty peculiar and not consistent with just culture, the prevailing safety ethos in the industry. By this stage the media had a healthy interest in the subject of regulatory cultures, and the public confidence in civil aviation safety in New Zealand was on trial. It’s very interesting, but almost entirely predictable, how the actions of one person can put the whole issue of confidence in aviation safety at risk.

The coroner of course has not made any pronouncements about the specifics of the inquest. However, it’s interesting to note that the evidence to the coroner was almost an exact parallel to that placed before TAIC. The opinions on the appropriateness of the overhead rejoin are as diverse as ‘the boots’ has ever heard, which indicates that a comprehensive risk analysis is probably the only way we're ever going to get some consensus around the issue.

A number of you urged us to be more critical of the CAA but would that have been just? Personally ‘the boots’ thinks it was a very unusual scenario and simply not reflective of the culture emerging today. As someone observed, what has been done cannot be undone, but what we must do is work together to make sure the concept of just culture is so embedded that it cannot be undone.

We shouldn't feel alone in this debate - in the US it’s manifesting itself in a pilot bill or rights. Such simple things as frank disclosure of all materials held by any regulatory agency on an individual is at the essence of the Bill. At this point I can hear some of you almost clapping your hands as it has been a struggle to even see the most lawful of information held on you. The way to bring about change in our environment is to have an input into the review of The Civil Aviation Act, so put your ideas forward. If you’re not comfortable putting pen to paper send your ideas into us and we'll work through them with you.

We're also been asked why isn't AIA part of the AOPA and other groups challenging CAA charges. It’s quite simple: we were consulted. In fact we were extensively consulted and we sent many an email to you expressing our stance. We had input. Our acceptance of some of the increases was noted, as were our objections. We took those objections to the relevant Officials who were under no illusions that we didn't support the changes - we disagreed to the point where an undertaking was given that our views would be conveyed to Ministers. In our view the Ministers received a paper which put a spin on the fundamental objections of some sectors of the industry and understated the case opposing a number of the increases. However, this doesn't negate the fundamental tenant of any review of charges and that is that we were consulted. On that ground alone we would become a poisoned challis to any successful challenge.

On a totally separate issue, we're now starting to form some views on the information we have coming in on our pilots survey. We're still short in the helicopter sector so we will be out speaking to you over the next week. Is the situation with fixed wing is as we thought? Short answer is No and Yes. No in that there’s a much greater flow of New Zealanders backwards and forwards across the Tasman, and so the state of the Aussie market and demand for pilots is a major influence.

And Yes there are clearly some key pinch points in supply. We'll talk some more to you about these once we've fully finished the analysis. Trying to micro manage a market however, has demonstrated to us that more frequently you get it wrong than right. The caps we have on every aspect of pilot funding is doing some very serious damage to the productivity of the flight training industry. As the funders try to create efficiencies the more inefficient some aspects of training become.

Thursday the 12th sees the first joint meeting of our Board and the Aviation Council so we will update you on developments next week

Telling the Story

Indonesia learns more of NZ aviation capabilities. We presented to a West Java Business Delegation headed by Chairman of the province’s business promotion and development organisation, DR Ir Dadang M Ma’soem. The region, southwest of Jakarta, is looking to develop the new Kertajati International Airport to take the pressure off the main Jakarta airport, and to develop other aviation activities. We were part of a larger NZ group (including geothermal and sheep/beef) which was exploring ways in which we could become more involved in developmental activities in West Java.

Growing the Pie

Other opportunities in Indonesia. A couple of weeks ago we raised questions about the ability of the agricultural aviation sector to leverage of the NZ farming sector as it becomes established in some countries. We know that aerial topdressing is practised in some parts of Indonesia, but in others, including West Java, fertiliser is spread by hand, and a lot goes missing. Some agricultural interests are working with ASB to get established in West Java. We’re talking to them.

Indonesia Visits. With one group of Indonesians behind us, we’re now looking at another group coming next month. This is a very high level group, very interested in airport developments. We’ll be taking them to the main airports Auckland (it would be the second busiest airport if located in Indonesia), Christchurch (7th busiest) and Wellington (8th), and will be running workshops with them to show the planning that goes into developing airports with long term growth potential; our innovative airport design capabilities; the smart airports technologies being developed here; and presenting some ideas on how to operate the airports. We’re working closely with NZTE in this work.

Application for registration under Ministry of Foreign Affairs Partnership Fund proceeding. We’re now talking informally to them about some projects the New Zealand industry could undertake.

Boeing predicts 35,000 new commercial aircraft over 100 seats will be delivered to 2033 with China taking 5580 of them. The full Boeing forecast is available: www.boeing.com/commercial/cmo/index.html Interesting to note in terms of future aircraft orders that United Airlines has called back all its pilots currently on long term leave to undertake new training and resume flight operations. They see a shortage looming.

IATA reports global consumer traffic growing but with changes across the World as China slows and more signs of life emerge in the EU here

Making the plane fly faster

Government Agency relationship – we’ve finally agreed a time with MoT and CAA to discuss Pt 141 for pilot training. Pt 147 is proceeding OK but we want to give Pt 141 a kick along. We’re seeing increasing demand from overseas markets for Pt 141 as a prerequisite.

Building tomorrow’s planes

Keep a watch out for what is going on with Callaghan Innovation, the Canterbury and Auckland Schools of Engineering, the Centre for Advanced Composite Materials in Auckland and the engineering areas of some polytechs. We’re picking up stories of growing interest in aviation and the willingness to engage with more companies. Over the last few weeks, we’ve introduced Callaghan Innovation to a couple of companies that can help in process design for new aviation product development. If you are involved in ‘new things’ let us know, we might just be able to refer you to someone who can help.

Travel Careers & Training classrooms available AKL Airport (opposite the IBIS – 10 minute walk to Domestic Terminal). Available on a causal or long-term basis. Also available in AKL CBD. Contact Guy Domett on 07 853-0294. John Sinclair says this is the best deal on offer in auckland!!!!

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